1. Welcome to ELA Workshop with Mrs. Gentilini-Pagonis (Room G3)
Please sit at a table. Then, take the survey that is located in the folder. Thank you! My

2. Who is Mrs. Gentilini-Pagonis?
I grew up in Nassau County. I attended St. John’s University (B.S. in Education) and continued there for my Master’s in Literacy (M.s.Ed. Literacy 5-12).
I got married this past August and do not have any children of my own yet.
This is my first year teaching in Port Washington but my 8th year in education.
I currently teach a Reading/Writing workshop course at Hofstra University and worked with students at St. John’s Reading and Writing Center in the past.
I am thrilled to become a part of Weber Middle School!
I love spending time with my family, friends and dogs in my free time!

3. New this year:
Core Support- classes have been designed by grade and house. This allows us to support ELA and Social Studies curriculum during ELA workshop as well .

4. Grading Policy Quarterly Report to Parents. (see sample)
Based on key reading/writing skills

5. Class Procedures
The following requirements and procedures were explained in the student/parent/guardian letter that both students and their parent/guardian read and returned signed:
-Supplies- notebook and folder -Homework and independent reading (quarterly)
-Expectations -My webpage
-Lateness Contact info (sgentilini-
-Extra help schedule ** there is a - in my

6. SEE REMAINING EXTRA HELP CALENDAR ONLINE
My Extra Help Schedule
My extra help is every other Wednesday morning at 7:30am. If students need help on an ELA or S.S assignment, they can schedule to meet with me another day before school, after school, or during their lunch if I am available.
Upcoming extra help (no appointment needed!):
10/11, 10/25
11/8, 11/22
12/13, 12/20
SEE REMAINING EXTRA HELP CALENDAR ONLINE

7. Attendance
Missing ELA Workshop: Students may have a pass to report to Speech, Guidance, or a House Office at the start of ELA Workshop class. Sectionals (music) attendance are permitted, but students need to stagger sectional attendance with another class.
Students risk falling behind in class if they do not attend regularly.
If your child shows a pattern of absences not related to illness, Speech, Guidance, sectionals, or House Office requests, I will contact you.

8. Who Are You?
You are the most important influence in your child’s life and you have my support.
Think about it: Is reading an important pastime in your home?
What are you reading? Does your child see you reading?
Do you limit “screen time?”
Are you always looking at your phone or another device screen?
How are you doing your reading? (Book, eReader, etc.)
Your role is so important in middle school, as your child is not by any means “educationally independent” just yet. Please help your child learn organization skills, study skills, and time management. PLEASE KEEP IN CONTACT WITH ME, your child’s other teachers, and the school so that you are involved in their education.

9. What is AIS?
Your child is assigned to Academic Intervention Support: Response to Intervention (R.T.I.) - Tier II (of three) Components, as described on District website:
Placement: Multiple methods of assessment are considered for placement and withdrawal in E.L.A. Workshop classes. The multiple assessments include, but are not limited to: N.W.E.A. fall, winter, and spring results, most recent N.Y.S. English Language Arts level score, and any other pertinent information related to a student's grade-level proficiency in the English Language Arts. Students are placed in classes based on his or her individual strengths and weaknesses. For more information, visit the English Department site:
Tier II: delivered by a specialist (Reading or Speech/Language Teacher). At Weber, students are assigned ELA WORKSHOP during the day. It is not a pull-out class. It consists of small group instruction which are differentiated to meet the needs of the students in that group.

10. What will we be doing in ELA Workshop Class?
Identify personal learning strength(s): auditory, visual, kinesthetic (hands-on).
Explore Study Skill techniques to identify which one/ones work for their learning style.
Vocabulary: analyze word parts, improve vocabulary use in writing, identify Greek and Latin roots, understand affix meanings (prefix/suffix), and create an academic word list for personal use.
Writing: identify techniques to write effectively: outline prewrite, personal word list, reference visuals, use study skills, and comprehension skills.
Testing: There will be no formal classroom tests. Tests will consist of diagnostic testing to identify comprehension strengths and weaknesses. This includes fluency reading, oral and silent reading passages, and comprehension checks. This will be done independently during class time with me throughout the year.

11. What will we be doing in ELA Workshop Class? (Continued.)
Research: I will support research projects with reinforcement of ELA Workshop skills.
Reading: Your child needs reading material for my class. This can be an assigned novel, appropriate magazine, newspaper, graphic novel, or rereading of classroom text. Proficient readers understand that readers comprehend, visualize, know an author’s name they love, and understand their personal learning style. Everyone can do it!
Independent Reading: I will support all core English class independent reading assignments. The first 10 minutes of class and every Thursday and Friday is Independent Reading time. Students must have reading material. It is important to build reading STAMINA, before high school.
Comprehension: establish reading goals, connect key concepts and ideas to a central idea, use THIEVES, improve fluency, master retention skills with graphic organizers, read and reread AND become an ACTIVE reader…not a passive reader.

12. How does the brain read words?
Isn’t that neat?
See more samples of how the brain reads words:

13. How Do Most Middle Schoolers Feel About Reading?

14. If your child can find 20 minutes a day to read, outside of school, the benefits will be amazing!

15. Your email address is important!
Weber is green, so notices, progress reports & report cards will now be ED.
Please update your address!
If you prefer hard copy reports to be mailed please inform your child's house office.

16. THANK YOU!